Executive Chairman, Benue State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr. Grace Adagba, has emphasised the importance of Community-Based Early Childhood Care Development and Education (ECCDE) Centres and Neighbourhood Primary Schools, also known as Nursery Sections, in ensuring a smooth transition into primary school.
Dr. Adagba, who spoke when she received a delegation from the Federal Ministry of Education, Abuja, who were at the Board’s headquarters for an advocacy visit on the establishment and sustainability of ECCDE Centres and Neighbourhood Primary Schools, disclosed that under her leadership, SUBEB has embarked on robust enrollment drive campaigns to encourage the enrollment of children into ECCDE Centres in public primary schools across the State.
She said nursery sections have been established and equipped in all public primary schools in the state and encouraged parents to take advantage of the opportunity.
She further stated that modern storey buildings with Nursery Sections have been constructed in 12 basic schools across the state, with more underway. To make learning more attractive, innovations such as Craft and Sports Days, as well as Quiz and Debate competitions, have been introduced in Basic Schools.
The executive chairman also revealed plans to set up a task force by September to monitor ECCDE centres and ensure their effective operation.
She stressed that the Board has carried out intensive Enrollment Drive Campaigns across the three geopolitical zones and have reached out to key education Stakeholders to boost enrollment.
Team lead from the Federal Ministry of Education, Chipa Ladi, in her presentation, stressed that the first five years of a child’s life are critical for cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development. She described ECCDE as essential in ensuring children grow into sound and productive citizens. While commending Benue SUBEB for its progress in enrollment campaigns, she noted that more efforts were needed to reach unreached children.
Also speaking, Confidence Okonkwo from the FME team said their visit aims to strengthen partnerships with the Benue State Government and advocate for support from Community Stakeholders, Faith-based organisations, traditional leaders, and others in establishing and sustaining ECCDE centres. She expressed hope that Nursery Sections would enhance children’s transition to primary education and contribute to building a productive nation.
She also noted that in previous years, the FME, in collaboration with UNICEF, established some Community-based ECCDE Centres in the State and called for increased support from Stakeholders to replicate and expand these Centres.
A highlight of the visit was the presentation of key policy documents, including the National Policy on Early Childhood Care Development and Education and its Implementation Guidelines, as well as the National Minimum Standards for ECCDE Centres in Nigeria.